EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

Reactions: NBA Draft

Hawks, Clippers big winners in draft day moves

The draft is over and every team has made its decision, good or bad. We asked you the CNNSI.com user to weigh in on which team you think came out on top in draft. A sample of the responses follows:

Personally, I thought Atlanta made huge strides in this year's draft day activities. Not necessary using a drafted player obviously, the addition of Shareef Abdur-Rahim is huge. Plus they are able to free up some cap room to bring in a point guard this offseason, and picking up two future draft picks.
Brad Cropper, Taylorsville, Utah

The Clippers had the biggest splash in the draft by obtaining Elton Brand, the No. 1 pick from two years ago. They needed a strong power forward, with Lamar Odom, Michael Olawkandi and Darius Miles, and that they got.
Bruce Burris, Irvine, Calif.

I think the Celtics did an excellent job in the draft, drafting the best overall player with each pick. Each of these players will add much needed athleticism to Boston, something that is very much needed.
Bob Webster, Silver Spring, Md.

I hate to admit it, but the Bulls look like the clear winner of the draft to me. Any draft that lands your team two potential Kevin Garnetts for the price of one potential Larry Johnson is a good one.
Damon Ralph, New York

The Clippers are going to be my pick for smartest move in the draft. By acquiring Brand they really are going to up their talent. Now Odom can play shooting guard or the point. They will no longer need him to play forward. Brand is just what the Clippers needed. Tyson Chandler will be good but that will be down the road. Brand has already proved himself, and the Clippers are taking less of a risk with Brand than they would have with Chandler.
Jared Jones, Provo, Utah

I think that the Atlanta Hawks helped themselves the most with the trade for Abdur-Rahim. Abdur-Rahim will add power and scoring up front that the Hawks were lacking last year. With the return of Theo Ratliff and the steady improvement of players like Nazr Mohammed and Jason Terry the addition of Abdur-Rahim will help the Hawks even more. The rebirth of the scoring star Tony Kukoc adds yet another player that can put points on the board.
Matthew G., Delmar, New York

The Grizzlies greatly improved their team by adding a proven player in Shane Battier and a future prospect in Pau Gasol. The Mike Bibby for Jason Williams trade however was somewhat one-sided, Williams will never have the potential of Bibby. I don't think the Clippers were thinking straight by giving up Chandler for Brand. Brand is a proven 20/10 player but where does that leave Miles with Brand and Odom holding the forward spots. They must now also find a center to fill Chandler's shoes.
Mike Whiting, San Jose, Calif.

I'll tell you who didn't improve -- the Blazers. While they stick yet another wick into their power forward situation, the rest of the league will sit back and watch the fireworks. If they don't move at least two of their power forwards (Rasheed Wallace, Dale Davis, Shawn Kemp, and now Zach Randolph), a controversy over minutes is going to be the least of their problems at that position.
Nick Ford, Reno, Nev.

Easily the team that helped themselves the most, were the Clippers. Adding a guy that can put up 20 points and 10 rebounds every night to a team that desperately needs leadership should push the Clippers into the playoffs next season. The Clippers now have the best young frontcourt in the league with Miles, Odom and Brand. Give them a couple of years together, and we are talking about the Clippers as not just a playoff team but as a contender.
Patrick Holmes, St. Charles, Mo.

I'm a loyal Clippers fan, but even putting that aside I believe that the Clippers were the big winners in the draft. They have so much talent now. Brand is a solid 20/10 guy, Odom is a triple double machine, and Miles is a star on the rise. And the supporting cast? Well, it's all there. Wait for the Clips to be in the playoffs next year! Chicago -- wait for a couple of years more.
Roberto Acevedo, Guatemala

Who else but the Atlanta Hawks, trading away a moody center and getting an all-star caliber center in Theo Ratliff and sixth man Toni Kukoc before the draft. Trading the No. 3 pick for a proven player in Abdur-Rahim who scores points like a waterfall and stockpiling first round picks for the future.
Ronald, Singapore

Minnesota got the steal of the draft. They get an excellent, proven player in Loren Woods. Teams passed on him supposedly because of his back. That was a mistake. It is also a great fit for Loren. He will be able to play immediately and not spend two to three years riding the bench.
Victoria Poindexter, Florissant, Mo.

Copyright © 2001 CNN/Sports Illustrated An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.